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3 days in Moscow

I am an art specialist who travels a lot. I've lived in Venice, London, Amsterdam, Berlin and Saint Petersburg and travelled all across Europe because of my job, currently I reside in Moscow.
I'm really glad to share my personal discoveries in terms of local food, art&culture places and other activities with a wider audience!

Three days in Moscow will fly by as fast as a Russian troika (the iconic carriage drawn by three horses)! Follow my suggested itinerary and make the most of your time in Moscow by discovering the best of Russia's art and culture, both visually and gastronomically.

Good for

History Buff

Art and Architecture Lover

Nature Lover

Luxury Traveller

Thrifty Traveller

Trendsetter

14 Places

3 City Tips

Print

Map

14 Places

Day 1

The State Tretyakov Gallery

Art Museums

Strelka Bar

Restaurants

Tretyakov Gallery on Krymsky Val

Art Museums

Bolshoi Theatre

Architectural Buildings, Ballets, Operas, Theatres

Day 2

Garage Museum of Contemporary Art

Art Museums

Dom 12

Restaurants

Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts

Art Museums

Farmers Restaurant Lavkalavka

Restaurants

Day 3

Moscow Kremlin (Moskovsky Kreml)

Speciality Museums

Red Square (Krasnaya ploshchad)

Historic Sites, Points of Interest & Landmarks

Diamond Fund (Almazny Fond)

Speciality Museums

GUM Department Store (Glavny Universalny Magazin)

Architectural Buildings, Department Stores

Ugolek

Restaurants

The Armoury

Art Museums, History Museums, Military Museums

The State Tretyakov Gallery

Lavrushinskiy ln, 10, Moscow119017, Russia

Strelka Bar

Bersenevskaya Emb., 14/5A, Moscow119072, Russia

Tretyakov Gallery on Krymsky Val

10, Krymsky Val, Moscow119049, Russia

Bolshoi Theatre

Teatralny dr., 1, Moscow109012, Russia

Garage Museum of Contemporary Art

Krymskiy Val St., 9/32, Moscow119034, Russia

Dom 12

Mansurovsky Pereulok, 12, Moscow119034, Russia

Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts

Volhonka St., 12, Moscow119019, Russia

Farmers Restaurant Lavkalavka

Petrovka St., 21-2, Moscow107031, Russia

Moscow Kremlin (Moskovsky Kreml)

Red Square, Moscow103073, Russia

Red Square (Krasnaya ploshchad)

Krasnaya ploshchad, Moscow, Russia

Diamond Fund (Almazny Fond)

Kremlin, Moscow103073, Russia

GUM Department Store (Glavny Universalny Magazin)

Red Square, 3 | Metro Ploshchad Revolyutsii, Moscow613310, Russia

Ugolek

Bolshaya Nikitskaya st., 12, Moscow115487, Russia

The Armoury

Dvortsovaya St., 1R, Moscow103073, Russia

▲

The State Tretyakov Gallery

Art Museums

▼

▲

Strelka Bar

Restaurants

▼

▲

Tretyakov Gallery on Krymsky Val

Art Museums

▼

▲

Bolshoi Theatre

Architectural Buildings, Ballets, Operas, Theatres

▼

▲

Garage Museum of Contemporary Art

Art Museums

▼

▲

Dom 12

Restaurants

▼

▲

Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts

Art Museums

▼

▲

Farmers Restaurant Lavkalavka

Restaurants

▼

▲

Moscow Kremlin (Moskovsky Kreml)

Speciality Museums

▼

▲

Red Square (Krasnaya ploshchad)

Historic Sites, Points of Interest & Landmarks

▼

▲

Diamond Fund (Almazny Fond)

Speciality Museums

▼

▲

GUM Department Store (Glavny Universalny Magazin)

Architectural Buildings, Department Stores

▼

▲

Ugolek

Restaurants

▼

▲

The Armoury

Art Museums, History Museums, Military Museums

▼

Masha K's City Tips

Tipping is normally 10-15% of the bill, but it really depends on how satisfied you are with the service and the meal.

The Moscow metro is fast, easy to navigate and cheap. Cards are available for multi-trips of 11, 20 and more.

Instead of buying typical souvenirs on Arbat Street, check out museum stores or shop in Gorkiy Park for something more creative.

Day 1

Save

The State Tretyakov Gallery

Art Museums

Masha K Says:

The former private collection of Pavel Treatyakov, assembled in the 19th century, exemplifies the best works by the most famous Russian artists. The permanent collection stretches from Orthodox icons to the early 20th century — except for Russian avant-garde (which you will find in a separate building). The gallery building itself, designed by Viktor Vasnetsov, refers to Russian medieval architecture and is in itself, worth a visit.

Good for

Must See

Luxury Traveller

Thrifty Traveller

History Buff

Art and Architecture Lover

Tips

Buying tickets online might be a good idea, to avoid getting stuck in line.

Take a stroll to Strelka Bar for lunch. Here, you will find a menu of delicious food, as well as a stunning view of the Moscow River and the Cathedral of Christ the Savior — rebuilt in the 1990s, years after it was destroyed in the 1920s.

You'll find the 'Black Square' by Malevich here, as well as lots of other top works from the Russian avant-garde art movement. The collection begins with the works of Natalia Goncharova and Mikhail Larionov, and extends through the Soviet period and to contemporary Russian art.

Good for

Must See

Luxury Traveller

Thrifty Traveller

Trendsetter

History Buff

Art and Architecture Lover

Tips

There is no cafe at this museum.

Muzeon Park is just around the corner, so you can combine the museum visit with an outdoor exhibition of Post-Soviet sculpture.

After the Napoleon army took over Moscow in 1812, the city got heavily destroyed after the infamous fire. Architect Bove was one of the main figures to lead the city's recovery. Bolshoi Theater was also restructured and soon became one of the symbols of the classical Moscow of the 19th century. With the emperor's loge, heavy red velvet and golden decorations and the mesmerizing performances on both the New and the Old scene, Bolshoi Theater represents the finest example of the Russian art and culture.

Good for

Must See

History Buff

Luxury Traveller

Trendsetter

Tips

Keep in mind that the shows here get sold out months in advance!

I recommend you try champagne and bread with butter and caviar in the theater's cafe — a truly genuine experience.

People tend to dress up for the shows, so make sure you carry some elegance as well.

In case you decide to visit the museum of the Bolshoi Theater, you'll have to contact the museum and make an appointment.

There is a nice new souvenir shop inside the theater.

A restaurant "The Bolshoi" is just around the corner — it's a bit pricey but also very sophisticated and a great example of the Russian cuisine.

A must-visit if you are an art lover, as I am! This museum is housed in a temporary pavilion with columns made of paper, designed by Shigeru Ban. There are normally a couple exhibitions taking place simultaneously, but as the current space isn't huge, you can see everything in a short, refreshing visit.

Good for

Foodie

Luxury Traveller

Thrifty Traveller

Trendsetter

Art and Architecture Lover

Tips

Don't miss the great cafe and museum shop.

Tour guides are very knowledgeable, and a tour is highly recommended!

Check the website in case the temporary pavilion location has changed.

Recently opened, Dom 12 quickly became a center for the artistic social scene and parties. There is a very nice inner courtyard too, where you can relax over a simple, delicious lunch — the perfect pause during a long day of walking.

Good for

Foodie

Thrifty Traveller

Trendsetter

Like a Local

Like a Local

Art and Architecture Lover

Tips

Look for art pieces on the walls — all part of the exhibition which runs through the cafe. These works by contemporary artists could serve as great souvenirs from your trip!

One of the most important museums in Russia. The works here come from three private collections: Schukin and Morozov's collections of modern art (including fantastic pieces by Monet, Gaugin, Van Gogh, and Matisse), and Ivan Tsevtaev's collection of molds from Greek and Roman sculpture. Yet another reason for visiting this museum however is to see the architecture of the building itself, beautifully designed to specifically complement the different epochs of art it houses — from the Egyptian temple to the Renaissance-style palazzo inner courtyard.

Famous for serving food made with ingredients from local farmers, LavkaLavka showcases a great variety of creative recipes drawn from traditional Russian cuisine. Definitely a place to discover something other than borsch and vodka!

The well-preserved epicenter of Russian state and religious power. The Kremlin was originally a fortress built by Italian architects, and originally white in color. It was later painted red, and during its history, has passed between the Poles, the Bolsheviks and later to the Communists. In the end, the space was opened up to the public, and is a beautiful space featuring medieval churches and buildings.

Good for

Must See

Luxury Traveller

Thrifty Traveller

History Buff

Art and Architecture Lover

Nature Lover

Tips

Book a ticket online.

Women should cover their heads when visiting the churches here.

A horse guard ceremony takes place here on a regular basis — check the website and make sure you don't miss it!

The country's main square technically is not red. The etymology of the name refers to red as 'beautiful' — the name the square got in the 17th century. The square is flanked by the Kremlin and mausoleum, the Historical museum, the GUM Department store and the Cathedral of St. Basil. Also, it's interesting to know that the Soviet government buried their highest-ranking military officials (along with some mass graves in 1917) by the Kremlin wall.

This heavily guarded building is one of my favorite museums inside the Kremlin. It showcases Russia's finest examples of jewelery and precious stones — from elegant brooches of empresses to the country's map made entirely of diamonds.

Good for

Must See

Luxury Traveller

Thrifty Traveller

Like a Local

History Buff

Art and Architecture Lover

Tips

It's not possible to take photos since you must leave all your personal belongings before entering the museum.

Built at the end of 19th century by the famous Russian architect Vladimir Shukhov, this store was a temple of abundance during Soviet times. Here one could find almost everything, which is why the literal translation from Russian is 'all embracing shop.' Nowadays, shopping is often not the purpose of a visit here, due to the high prices and quite banal choice of luxury brands, but I would still suggest walking through the galleries to observe the beautiful architecture.

Good for

Foodie

Must See

Luxury Traveller

Trendsetter

Shopping Fanatic

Tips

Look for the famous ice cream cones sold on the ground floor by women wearing white caps.

This restaurant is located close to the Red Square and the Kremlin. After sightseeing, take a short break here and you will be welcomed into a universe of delicious food created by Italian chef Uiliam Lamberti. The restaurant's stylish interior with the iron ovens that were shipped here from the US will make a perfect accompaniment to your meal.

There are numerous treasures to explore here, but my favorites are the sections that exhibit Russian tsars' and emperors' costumes and coaches. While some of the sections displaying international gifts and armory might appear a bit boring and repetitive (another goblet made of gold, another medieval gun), you're sure to be impressed by the Monomakh's Cap and other headpieces formerly owned by the tsars and emperors.

Good for

Must See

Luxury Traveller

Thrifty Traveller

History Buff

Art and Architecture Lover

Tips

Plan your visit in advance: book your tickets and consider a tour.

This place is so popular that I can't imagine a time when you can avoid the crowds!

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